Definition

1. Noun:
   • A gold alloy containing 75% pure gold: "18-karat gold" is a specific mixture of metals where 75% of the content is pure gold, with the remaining 25% being other metals like copper, silver, or zinc. The karat measurement indicates the purity of the gold.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Her wedding ring is made of 18-karat gold, so it's both durable and has a rich color.
  • Compared to 24-karat gold, 18-karat gold is harder and more suitable for everyday jewelry.

Advanced Usage

• "To be 18-karat": used figuratively to describe something as genuine or of high quality, though this is less common than the literal usage.
  • His apology seemed 18-karat, full of sincere remorse.

Variants and Related Words

• Karat (n): A unit for measuring the purity of gold, with 24 karats being pure gold. (Note: This is spelled "carat" when referring to gemstone weight).
• Gold alloy (n): A general term for a mixture of gold with other metals.
• 14-karat gold (n): A gold alloy containing 58.3% pure gold.
• 24-karat gold (n): Pure gold, which is 99.9% gold.

Synonyms

• 750 gold: A synonym based on the millesimal fineness system (750 parts per thousand gold).
• 18K gold: An abbreviated form.

Related Phrases

• Solid gold: Often used to describe jewelry made from a gold alloy like 18-karat, as opposed to gold-plated items. It signifies the entire piece is made of the gold mixture.
  • Ensure you are buying solid 18-karat gold, not just a gold-plated piece.

Related Idioms

• Good as gold: An idiom meaning very well-behaved or genuine. While not directly referencing the karat, it shares the concept of gold as a standard of value.
  • The children were as good as gold during the ceremony.

Noun

1. an alloy that contains 75 per cent gold